Mounting fear over anthrax attacks and the potential
for other biological and chemical weapons attacks could have a long-lasting
psychological effect on many people, even if the incidents themselves remain
sporadic, say medical researchers in the UK and US.

They warn that authorities in many countries could inadvertently worsen
the situation by over-reacting and proposing countermeasures, such as chemical
sensors on subway systems.

"It may be unwise to send in men in white suits for what are relatively
low-risk situations," co-author Simon Wessely, of the Institute of
Psychiatry at Kings College London, told New Scientist. "If there
are terrorists behind these attacks, that is what they want."

The likelihood of causing extensive psychological damage by fitting underground
sensors far outweighs the likelihood of the sensors saving lives, they
say. To date, 50 people have tested positive for anthrax exposure, 46 in
the US, but there have been thousands of hoaxes around the world.

Terror tactics

The psychological damage caused by heavy-handed reactions
could eventually manifest itself in mistrust of government experts, says
the team.

It could also lead to unwarranted increased media and public speculation
over the long-term health effects of low-level exposure to chemical and
biological agents. The authors say that similar uncertainty followed the
use of chemical weapons on soldiers in the Gulf and the Balkans.

Wessely says that biological and chemical weapons are less effective than
bombs and guns, but can inspire more fear and uncertainty: "Anthrax
is a lousy weapon. But it is the hidden menace."

"Out of proportion"

Others agree that the terrorist attacks should not cause
undue concern.

"Any serious scientist is going to say when you look at the figures
it is out of proportion," says Leslie Carrick-Smith, an independent
UK expert on the psychologist effects of disasters. "A few people
have been affected and 50 million have become very anxious."

Wessely believes that the public must treat the threat of biological and
chemical attack as minimal. "The solution is to remember that we can
deal with it, unless we overreact, as they seem to be doing in America,"
he says.